Public Affairs Officer

About the job:

The post-holder will report to the Public Affairs Manager and will work primarily within the public affairs team, as well as collaboratively working with colleagues across the Governance, External Affairs and Registrar (GEAR) Section. The post-holder will play a key role in delivering Queen’s University Belfast’s public affairs and political engagement strategy, maintaining and enhancing the University’s reputation, profile, and influence with political representatives, policymakers, and stakeholders across Northern Ireland, the UK, Ireland, and, where relevant, the EU and internationally.

About the person:

Essential Criteria:

• Degree or equivalent qualification or substantial relevant professional experience.
• Significant relevant professional experience (within last 6 years) in a Public Affairs role, including evidence of:
  • Liaison with the political and policy environment.
  • Use of media relations.
  • Producing publications, print and digital.
  • Organisation of high profile events and visits.
  • Proven experience of identifying and managing opportunities to enhance organisational profile and reputation and of building purposeful relationships locally and nationally.
• Demonstrable evidence/ experience of successfully introducing and implementing new ideas and initiatives that drives a public affairs function forward to meet the needs of the organisation.
• Excellent IT skills including advanced use of Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams.
• Demonstrable knowledge of workings of governments, assemblies and parliaments.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including ability to quickly draft briefing documents on complex subject matter, confidence in giving presentations and the ability to quickly and effectively engage a range of audiences and meet tight deadlines.
• Evidence of well-developed networking skills, both internally and externally, and ability to give advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders, build relationships and manage expectations

To be successful at shortlisting stage, please ensure you clearly evidence in your application how you meet the essential and, where applicable, desirable criteria listed in the Candidate Information document on our website.